Edward went into the back room and fell into a deep sleep. He said he couldn’t believe what he woke up to. Shaquille was in bed, having been shot Sunday morning. Shaquille died in the hospital a few hours later.

That wasn’t the only reason Johnson visited the hospital that day. On the same day that his lost his brother, Johnson welcomed a new member to his family: a son.

That son’s name: Shaquille.

“I’ve just had a lot of mixed emotions,” Johnson said. “I didn’t even hear gunshots. I look at what happened and there was a blessing behind it. I got a son that Shaquille can live through. I just couldn’t stay happy.”

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Shaquille Johnson puts on his hat after signing with Coffeyville Community College during Lee High School's signing day ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala.
Albert Cesare / Advertiser

R.E. Lee's Shaquille Johnson sets up to pass in the first quarter of the North-South Prep Football All-Star Game on Thursday, Jul. 21, 2016 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. The North led 14-0 before the game was cancelled because of lightning.
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Shaquille Johnson puts on his hat after signing with Coffeyville Community College during Lee High School's signing day ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala.
Albert Cesare / Advertiser

Robert E. Lee quarterback Shaquille Johnson threw for a school-record 2,585 yards this season and record-setting 20 touchdowns to go with his 482 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Mickey Welsh/Advertiser

Lee quarterback Shaquille Johnson (13) throws a pass during the game between Lee High School and Carver High School on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
Albert Cesare / Advertiser

Lee quarterback Shaquille Johnson runs downfield as Carver linebacker Brandon Northern (23) attempts to tackle him during the game between Lee High School and Carver High School on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
Albert Cesare / Advertiser

Johnson, who finished with 22 tackles and two interceptions for the Generals last season, signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College on Wednesday.

Johnson said he wants to use this opportunity to continue his brother’s legacy.

“(Shaquille) was always smiling,” Johnson said. “He was very playful. It was good to play football with him. He was always a leader. He always taught me to get my grades up, so I could go to college.”

Johnson's emotion was also spread around town Wednesday on signing day.

Carver's LaMario Wilson initially walked away from the group of Carver’s signees just after Wednesday’s ceremony ended. He was too emotional.

Shaquille was Wilson’s cousin.

Kendarius Hartwell said he was also in disbelief when he found out the tragic news. Hartwell played alongside Shaquille and the late Rod Scott, who died in a single-vehicle crash in 2016.

Hartwell, a 2016 graduate of Lee, said Shaquille wanted to see all his friends and teammates make it to college and beyond. Hartwell is also a new father.

Hartwell said his late pals are probably playing one-on-one while watching over them, even talking trash all the way.

“I’ve learned from him to stay around positive people and pray,” Hartwell said. “He just wanted everybody to be on the same page and stay safe. The same thing happens everywhere. I’m going to make sure he lives on through me.”

Generals football coach Tyrone Rogers said his players have expressed anger, hurt and sadness to him. He also said he’s going through those same emotions.

Rogers remembers Shaquille smiling so much during practice, he’d have to tell him to stop.

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Montgomery Advertiser 5A-7A Football Player of the Year, Shaquille Johnson of Lee High School, shown in Montgomery, Ala. on Thursday December 10, 2015. (Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)

“Shaquille had what I call a gravitational pull,” Rogers said. “He was very genuine and uplifting. Everybody wanted to be around him. He had a great spirit and his teammates were drawn to it and rallied around him.”

Robert E. Lee senior linebacker Kevontae Ruggs said he grew close with Shaquille because of the bond he had with his older brother.

Shaquille was named the Advertiser Class 5A-7A all-metro player of the year after throwing for a school-record 2,585 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Generals.

“Shaquille had such a positive attitude,” Kevontae Ruggs said. “He was never down. All he wanted to do was joke and play ball. Every moment with him was funny. All he told me was I would make one day. He said just keep going hard.”

Johnson said his son has opened his eyes for him a few times, serving as a sign from his older brother that he's still watching him.

Though he said he'll miss his brother, Johnson said he'll find plenty of times to smile with his newborn.

"He'll always be close to me and I'll never forget him," Johnson said. "It's going to be very hard, but I know he'd never want me to give up. I’m ready to go and get out there (to Mississippi)."